Finca Torremilanos “El Porron de Lara” & “Montecastrillo” Rosado
Region: Castilla Y Leon, Spain
Varietal: Tempranillo
We consider ourselves “Artisan of the Earth” practicing 100% ecological and biodynamic agriculture. The wine tradition of Torremilanos dates back to 1903, although it is in 1975 when the Peñalba Lopez family acquired the estate. Convinced of the quality of our autochthonous grape, the Tempranillo variety and experts in the art of viticulture, Pablo Peñalba decides to increase the amount of his own vineyards until reaching the 200 hectares that the family owns today.
All of them are located in the mountains close to the winery and are cared for following a philosophy of respect for the environment that allows certifying all the wines of the Torremilanos Winery as organic. The quality of the grapes, the soil, the climate, the own cooperation and the special conditions of the winery ensure optimal aging and the quality of our wines.
It is super interesting having these wines side by side! Both Tempranillo from the same vineyard, but completely different flavors!
On the nose, El Porron boasts notes of raspberry jam, blueberries, wet earth, and violets. On the palate, underripe blackberries and tart cherries, with nice acidity and soft tannin.
With the Montestrillo, the nose is full of strawberries and watermelon candy. On the palate, a beautiful softness is carried throughout, with rose, strawberry shortcake, and a touch of nutmeg.
Donhofff Kiederhauser Klamm Riesling Kabinett
Region: Nahe, Germany
Varietal: Riesling
The Dönnhoff family first came to the Nahe region 250 years ago, establishing a traditional farm in the village of Oberhäusen an der Nahe, which included livestock and vegetable gardens in addition to some grape growing. Oberhäusen and this part of the Nahe river valley is very pastoral; it feels far away from the relative hustle and bustle of the Rheingau and wine tourism. The countryside is serene and beautiful, marked by steep hillside vineyards in the succession of villages following the river from Norheim to Niederhausen, through Oberhäusen, ending in Schlössbockelheim.
The estate was started by Helmut Dönnhoff’s grandfather, Hermann, in the 1920s. Helmut took over from his father, Hermann Jr. in 1966; at that time there were only four hectares under vine and still quite a bit of farmland, which was rented out. In 1971, the farmland was sold and Helmut turned his full attention to producing quality wine.
Helmut is a very instinctive winemaker with a natural touch that he’s clearly passed on to his son Cornelius, who joined him at the winery 2007. The Dönnhoffs believe in craft and workmanship with the understanding that “winemaking alone cannot bring quality; it can only retain the available quality.” In the 40+ years that have passed since Helmut began his work some things have changed and shifted, but the commitment to excellence and transparency above all has remained constant from one generation to the next.
The Estate has grown to 25 hectares but both father and son feel that this is as large as they want to be; more growth would mean less time in the vineyards and cellar, where they feel most at home and in their element. Cornelius is as thoughtful as his father and the two share the same view on winemaking, viticulture, and taste in wine; balance and “Das ganze ding muss klingen – The whole thing must be sound” are at the center of their philosophy.
These grapes were harvested at the lowest level of ripeness, giving them a touch of natural sweetness from being on the vine a little longer than usual. Highly elegant riesling with sophisticated, high-acid fruits such as citrus and peach.
Georg Breuner “GB Rouge” Spatburgunder
Region: Rheingau, Germany
Varietal: Pinot Noir
With its some 3000 hectares, Rheingau is one of the smallest wine-growing regions in Germany. South facing steep slopes are protected from the cold northerly winds by the Taunus Mountains, giving ideal ripening conditions.
After a very hot year and a dry winter, the vines started with a water deficit into the new vegetation year, which was supposed to be another dry one. A very cool May was slowing down the vegetation, but the high temperatures in July brought back a few problems. In some vineyards the grapes get sunburned but luckily they did not affect the quality of the grape material. It was a very quick harvest because the ripeness of aroma and phenolic was on its point very early and there was no risk because of the weather. This vintage brings very aromatic wines with a nice acidity structure.
Bright ruby red, delicate aromas of wild berries and sour cherry, hints of smoke, clove and vanilla, framed by spicy structure, lush savoury fruit, ripe tannins, well-balanced and elegant.
Jasnieres Pascal Janvier
Region: Jasnieres, France
Varietal: Chenin Blanc
Pascal Janvier intended to be a butcher but made a dramatic pivot at age 30 to study winegrowing and start making wine. Today, he and his wife rent nine hectares of vineyard property which Janvier farms himself. A small grower in a tiny appellation, Janvier is a big influencer in showing off the typicity and unique character of wines from Jasnières. These slightly off-dry wines reveal racy acidity, and are perhaps more lightly honeyed than beef Chenin Blancs from other parts of the Loire Valley. Javier’s wines are loaded with the flinty minerality to be expected from this terroir. Fruit and floral aromas follow wet stones and smoke, offering tantalizing notes of ripe melon, exotic guava, quince, citrus flowers, grapefruit, and orange marmalade.
Named for the silex soil, which is full of flint and abundant in the Loire Valley. This Chenin comes from 35-40 years in age. The flint in the soils lend a remarkable gunpowder like quality to the wine.
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